EP0659617B1 - Vehicle occupant restraint apparatus - Google Patents
Vehicle occupant restraint apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0659617B1 EP0659617B1 EP94120112A EP94120112A EP0659617B1 EP 0659617 B1 EP0659617 B1 EP 0659617B1 EP 94120112 A EP94120112 A EP 94120112A EP 94120112 A EP94120112 A EP 94120112A EP 0659617 B1 EP0659617 B1 EP 0659617B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- restraint
- air bag
- panel
- vehicle
- sections
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/21—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
- B60R2021/21525—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member the lid being fixed on the bag, or forming part of the bag wall, or the bag itself being used as wall liner
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint of the kind defined in the preamble of Claim 1 and disclosed for instance in JP-A-02 249 740. It particularly relates to such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint which is inflated upon the occurrence of a side impact collision.
- An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint such as an air bag, is inflated when the vehicle experiences a collision.
- Inflation fluid is then directed to flow from a source of inflation fluid into the restraint to inflate the restraint.
- the inflation fluid expands the restraint from a stored condition to an inflated condition in which the restraint extends into the vehicle occupant compartment.
- the restraint is thus inflated into the occupant compartment, it restrains an occupant from forcefully striking parts of the vehicle.
- Such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint is concealed from the occupant compartment when it is stored.
- a deployment door typically extends over the restraint to conceal the restraint from the occupant compartment. The force of the inflation fluid flowing into the restraint is directed against the deployment door to open and move the deployment door out of the path of the restraint when the restraint is inflated and moved into the occupant compartment.
- the deployment door is normally formed as a portion of the vehicle part in which the restraint is stored. In certain applications, the deployment door may be formed as a portion of the steering wheel, instrument panel, or vehicle door, depending upon the location of the restraint in the vehicle. If the restraint is to be inflated upon the occurrence of a side impact collision, the restraint and the deployment door will often be located on a vehicle door.
- JP-A-02 249 740 discloses an energy absorbing structure for a car body side.
- an impact absorber is arranged in a condition that is folded and housed in a side door.
- an air tank supplies air into an airbag forming a peripheral edge part of a spread member consisting of soft material.
- the airbag spreads also in a car body width for absorbing energy by releasing connection of a fixed supporting member for connecting the internal surface of the airbag to an airbag cover.
- DE-A-42 17 176 discloses a side airbag system in which the air bag is already located in its spread condition approximately at the desired location during a collision so that the airbag will generate its protective effect particularly fast when gas is introduced.
- the vehicle part supporting the restraint may be a vehicle door, and the panel portion of the restraint is defined by a detachable section of an inner trim panel on this door.
- the restraint further has a stored air bag portion.
- the air bag portion of the restraint moves into a condition extending from the door upon inflation of the restraint.
- the panel portion of the restraint is fixed to the air bag portion, and moves from the door with the air bag portion upon inflation of the restraint. Since the panel portion of the restraint is defined by a detachable section of the inner trim panel on the door, it partly defines the occupant compartment at the door.
- the panel portion of the restraint thus functions as a deployment door which conceals the air bag portion from the occupant compartment, and also as a portion of the restraint which moves into the occupant compartment to restrain an occupant of the vehicle.
- a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus 10 in connection with which the embodiments of the present invention can be used is shown schematically in Fig. 1.
- the two embodiments of the invention are shown in Fig 7 and 8.
- the apparatus 10 includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 12 and an inflator 14.
- the restraint 12 and the inflator 14 are mounted on a vehicle door 16 in a position adjacent to a seat 18 in the vehicle occupant compartment 20.
- the inflator 14 is actuated.
- the inflator 14 then emits a large volume of inflation fluid which is directed into the restraint 12 to inflate the restraint 12.
- the restraint 12 inflates, it moves outward from the door 16 and into the occupant compartment 20 adjacent to the seat 18.
- the restraint 12 is thus inflated into the occupant compartment 20, it restrains an occupant of the seat 18 to protect the occupant from a forceful impact with the door 16.
- the door 16 has an outer structural panel 22 and an inner structural panel 24.
- the door 16 further includes an inner trim panel 26 between the inner structural panel 24 and the occupant compartment 20.
- the trim panel 26 includes an armrest structure 28.
- the trim panel 26 further has a major section 30 from which the armrest structure 28 projects and a detachable section 32 above the armrest structure 28.
- the major section 30 of the trim panel 26 has a side surface 34 which faces toward the inner structural panel 24, and has an opposite side surface 36 which faces toward the occupant compartment 20.
- the side surface 36 facing toward the occupant compartment 20 partly defines the boundary of the occupant compartment 20 at the door 16.
- An edge surface 38 of the major section 30 of the trim panel 26 defines an opening extending through the major section 30.
- the detachable section 32 of the trim panel 26 also has a side surface 40 facing the inner structural panel 24 and a side surface 42 partly defining the boundary of the occupant compartment 20 at the door 16.
- An edge surface 44 of the detachable section 32 adjoins the edge surface 38 of the major section 30.
- the detachable section 32 further has a peripheral retainer portion 46 which overlies the inner side surface 34 of the major section 30 adjacent to the edge surface 38.
- the detachable section 32 thus extends entirely across, and closes, the opening defined by the edge surface 38.
- the material of the trim panel 26 is deformable sufficiently to enable the retainer portion 46 to move around and past the edge surface 38 for detachment of the detachable section 32 from the major section 30.
- the retainer portion 46 holds the detachable section 32 securely in place, as shown in Fig. 3A, until the inflator 14 is actuated.
- the inflator 14 is part of an inflator module 50 which includes the inflator 14 and a manifold 52.
- the inflator 14 has a short, cylindrical housing 54 with a plurality of gas outlet openings 56.
- the housing 54 contains an ignitable gas generating material which, when ignited, rapidly produces gas for inflating the restraint 12.
- the gas generating material may have any suitable composition known in the art, and is ignited in a known manner upon the passage of electric current between a pair of lead wires 58.
- the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 use the inflator 14 to provide gas for inflating the restraint 12, other known sources of inflation fluid could be used as alternatives.
- the manifold 52 surrounds, but is spaced from, the gas outlet openings 56 in the housing 54, and has an open end portion 60 defining a gas exit opening 62.
- the manifold 52 thus defines a gas flow space 64 which communicates the gas outlet openings 56 in the housing 54 with the gas exit opening 62 in the manifold 52.
- the module 50 is fixed to the inner structural panel 24 of the door 16 by any suitable fastening structure, such as by a weld 66, with the gas exit opening 52 being located in the space between the inner structural panel 24 and the trim panel 26.
- the restraint 12 has a portion which is defined by an air bag 70.
- the air bag 70 is stored in the space between the inner structural panel 24 and the trim panel 26.
- a first open end 72 of the air bag 70 is received over the open end portion 60 of the manifold 52, and is fixed to the manifold 52 by any suitable means (not shown).
- a second open end 74 of the air bag 70 is fixed to the detachable section 32 of the trim panel 26 by an adhesive 76 (Fig. 3B) or an ultrasonic weld.
- the detachable section 32 of the trim panel 26 thus defines a panel portion of the restraint 12 which is fixed to the air bag 70.
- the inner side surface 40 of the detachable section 32 extends across the second open end 74 of the air bag 70.
- the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus 10 further includes an electrical circuit 80.
- the electrical circuit 80 includes a power source 82, which is preferably the vehicle battery or a capacitor, and a normally open switch 84.
- the switch 84 is part of a sensor 86 which senses the occurrence of a vehicle collision, such as a side impact collision in which the side of the vehicle is impacted by an object, such as another vehicle.
- the sensor 86 closes the switch 84 upon sensing the occurrence of such a side impact collision.
- a sensor is known in the art.
- the electrical circuit 80 directs electric current between the lead wires 58 to actuate the inflator 14 by causing the gas generating material in the inflator 14 to ignite.
- the gas emitted from the inflator 14 flows through the gas flow space 64 to the gas exit opening 62 and into the restraint 12 through the first open end 72 of the air bag 70.
- the gas rushes through the air bag 70 to the detachable section 32 of the trim panel 26, and quickly reaches an elevated pressure within the restraint 12.
- the air bag 70 inflates from the stored condition of Fig. 3A, and moves into the occupant compartment 20 with the detachable section 32 until the restraint 12 reaches the inflated condition shown in Fig. 4.
- the portion of the major section 30 which is located to right of the detachable section 32, as viewed in Fig. 3A, is sufficiently flexible to be pushed out of the path of movement of the air bag 70 by the air bag 70.
- That portion of the major section 30 thus enables the air bag 70 to move into the space between an adjacent B-pillar and the seat 18.
- the major section 30 could further include other flexible portions about the periphery of the detachable section 32, as needed, depending upon the particular trim panel 26 with which the present invention is used.
- the restraint 12 is thus inflated into the occupant compartment 20 to restrain and protect an occupant of the seat 18 from a forceful impact with the door 16. Since the inner side surface 40 of the detachable section 32 extends across the second open end 74 of the air bag 70, the volume enclosed within the inflated restraint 12 is defined in part by the area of the inner side surface 40 which extends across the second open end 74 of the air bag 70.
- trim panel 100 As described above, the major section 30 and the detachable section 32 of the trim panel 26 abut each other as separate parts of the trim panel 26. As shown partially in Fig. 5, an alternative trim panel 100 can be provided in place of the trim panel 26.
- the material of the trim panel 100 is continuous throughout a major section 102 and a detachable section 104 of the trim panel 100. The major section 102 and the detachable section 104 are thus joined to each other as connected parts of the trim panel 100.
- the apparatus of Fig. 5 thus includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 106 which includes both an air bag 108 and the detachable section 104 of the trim panel 100.
- the air bag 108 has an open end 110 which is fixed to an inner side surface 112 of the detachable section 104 by an adhesive 114.
- the pressure of the gas directed into the restraint 106 acts outward against the inner side surface 112 when the restraint 106 is being inflated.
- the volume enclosed within the inflated restraint 106 is thus defined in part by the area of the inner side surface 112 which extends across the open end 110 of the air bag 108.
- the trim panel 100 further has an indented surface portion 116 which extends around the entire periphery of the detachable section 104.
- the indented surface portion 116 forms a notch which defines a stress riser in the material of the trim panel 100 that interconnects the detachable section 104 with the major section 102.
- the gas pressure acting outward against the inner side surface 112 reaches a predetermined elevated level, it ruptures the material of the trim panel 100 which comprises the stress riser.
- the detachable section 104 and the air bag 108 are thus released for movement into the occupant compartment 20 by the pressure of the gas directed into the restraint 106.
- a releasable adhesive or other releasable fastening structure could be used with, or in place of, the retainer portion 46 of the detachable section 32 of the trim panel 26 in the first embodiment of the invention.
- a score line, breakable tabs or the like could be used in place of the indented surface portion 116 of the trim panel 100 in the second embodiment. In each case, however, the panel portion of the restraint would be securely held in place on the respective door 16 until the respective inflator 14 is actuated.
- the apparatus 10 includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 200, which is shown partially in Fig. 6.
- the restraint 200 has an air bag portion 202 and a panel portion 204.
- the panel portion 204 of the restraint 200 is substantially the same as either of the alternative panel portions of the restraints described above.
- the air bag portion 202 of the restraint 200 differs from the air bag portions of the restraints described above in that the air bag portion 202 does not have an open end fixed to the panel portion 204. Instead, the air bag portion 202 extends continuously over an inner side surface 206 of the panel portion 204, as shown in Fig. 6.
- a pair of mounting rods 208 with suitable fasteners (not shown) hold the air bag portion 202 in place against the inner side surface 206.
- the volume enclosed within the inflated restraint 200 is thus defined entirely by the air bag portion 202.
- the apparatus 10 includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 300, which is shown partially in Fig. 7.
- the restraint 300 has an air bag portion 302 and a panel portion 304.
- the structure of the panel portion 304 of the restraint 300 is substantially the same as the structure of any one of the alternative panel portions of the restraints described above.
- the air bag portion 302 of the restraint 300 is similar to the air bag portion 70 of the restraint 12, which is shown in Fig. 3A, in that the air bag portion 302 has an open end 306 which is fixed to the panel portion 304.
- the volume enclosed with the inflated restraint 300 is thus defined in part by the area of an inner side surface 308 of the panel portion 304 which extends across the open end 306 of the air bag portion 302.
- the air bag portion 302 of the restraint 300 differs from the air bag portions of each of the restraints described above in that the air bag portion 302 is divided into distinct tubular sections 312, 314 and 316.
- Each of the tubular sections 312, 314 and 316 communicates with a common air bag portion (not shown) which, in turn, communicates with a source of inflation fluid, such as the inflator 14.
- a source of inflation fluid such as the inflator 14.
- Each of the tubular sections 312, 314 and 316 of the air bag portion 302 adjoins a respective section 318, 320 and 322 of the panel portion 304.
- a plurality of mounting rods 310 with suitable fasteners (not shown) hold the air bag portion 302 in place against the inner side surface 308.
- the mounting rods 310 also separate the tubular sections 312, 314 and 316 of the air bag portion 302 from each other.
- the inflated air bag portion 302 moves the panel portion 304 forcefully away form the inner structural panel 24.
- the pressure of the inflation fluid in each of the tubular sections 312, 314 and 316 of the air bag portion 302 thus applies a force against the respective adjoining section 318, 320 and 322 of the panel portion 304.
- the pressure of the inflation fluid in the restraint 300 can be controlled so that the pressure differs in each of the tubular sections 312, 314 and 316 of the air bag portion 302.
- the respective forces applied by the tubular sections 312, 314 and 316 of the air bag portion 302 to the adjoining sections 318, 320 and 322 of the panel portion 304 will differ accordingly.
- each of the sections 318, 320 and 322 of the panel portion 304 will contact a different part of the occupant's body with a different force as the restraint 300 is inflated.
- This arrangement enables the restraint 300 to contact a relatively sensitive part of the occupant's body with relatively lesser force, and to restrain the relatively sensitive part of the occupant's body with a lower fluid pressure.
- the restraint 300 is able to contact a relatively stronger part of the occupant's body with a relatively greater force and to restrain the relatively stronger part of the occupant's body with a higher fluid pressure.
- the apparatus 10 includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 400, which is shown partially in Fig. 8.
- the restraint 400 has a panel portion 402 which is defined by a detachable section of a door trim panel like the trim panel 26 (Fig. 3A).
- the restraint 400 further has an air bag portion 404.
- the air bag portion 404 of the restraint 400 is similar to the air bag portion 302 of the restraint 300 shown in Fig. 7. However, the air bag portion 404 differs somewhat from the air bag portion 302 in that the air bag portion 404 does not have an open end at the panel portion 402. Instead, the air bag portion 404 of the restraint 400 extends continuously over an inner side surface 408 of the panel portion 402, as shown in Fig. 8.
- a plurality of mounting rods 410 with suitable fasteners hold the air bag portion 404 in place against the inner side surface 408, and also divide the air bag portion 404 into distinct tubular sections 412, 414 and 416 like the tubular sections 312, 314 and 316 of the air bag portion 302 shown in Fig. 7.
- a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus 500 is shown schematically in Fig. 9.
- the apparatus 500 is associated with a vehicle door 502, and includes a manifold 504 and an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 506 which differ somewhat from the manifold 50 and the restraint 12 in the apparatus 10 described above.
- Other parts of the apparatus 500 such as an inflator 14 and an electrical circuit 80, are substantially the same as corresponding parts of the apparatus 10, as indicated by the same reference numbers used in Figs. 3A and 9.
- the door 502 has an outer structural panel 510, an inner structural panel 512, and an inner trim panel 514.
- the trim panel 514 has a major section 516 and a detachable section 518.
- the detachable section 518 extends along nearly the entire length of the major section 516 between the opposite ends of the trim panel 514.
- the panel sections 516 and 518 are otherwise substantially the same as the panel sections 30 and 32 shown in Fig. 3A.
- the detachable section 518 is thus detachable from the major section 516 under the influence of inflation fluid pressure directed against an inner side surface 520 of the detachable section 518.
- the manifold 504 surrounds and is spaced from the gas outlet openings 56 in the inflator housing 54.
- a plurality of first gas exit openings 522 extend radially through a cylindrical side wall 524 of the manifold 504.
- a plurality of second gas exit openings 526 extend axially through a circular outer end wall 528 of the manifold 504.
- the manifold 504 is secured to the inner structural panel 512 of the door 502 by a plurality of fasteners 530.
- the fasteners 530 extend through openings in a circular flange 532 at the inner end of the side wall 524.
- the restraint 506 has a panel portion which is defined by the detachable section 518 of the trim panel 514, and further has a portion which is defined by an air bag 540.
- a first open end 542 of the air bag 540 surrounds the inflator 14, and is secured between the inner structural panel 512 and the flange 532 by the fasteners 530.
- a second open end 544 of the air bag 540 is fixed to the detachable section 518 of the trim panel 514 by an adhesive or an ultrasonic weld.
- the gas emitted from the inflator 14 flows into the restraint 506 through the first and second gas exit openings 522 and 526 in the manifold 504.
- the gas rushes through the air bag 540 to the detachable section 518 of the trim panel 514 and quickly reaches an elevated pressure within the restraint 506.
- the pressure of the gas acting outward against the inner side surface 520 causes the detachable section 518 of the trim panel 514 to detach from the major section 516 in the same manner as described above with reference to the corresponding parts of the trim panel 26 shown in Figs. 3A and 3B.
- the air bag 540 inflates and moves into the occupant compartment 20 with the detachable section 518.
- the restraint 506 is thus inflated into the occupant compartment 20 to restrain and protect an occupant of the seat 18 (Fig. 1) from a forceful impact with the door 502.
- the restraint apparatus 500 can have any of the alternative features described above with reference to the restraint apparatus 10.
- tethers are preferably included to control the size and shape of the inflated restraint.
- Such tethers extend across the inside of an inflatable restraint in a known manner.
- the configuration and structure of the detachable panel section, which forms the panel portion of the restraint can be varied for particular applications of the invention.
- a detachable panel section can be covered by a trim layer which gives the panel portion of the restraint an appearance consistent with the trim theme of a particular vehicle.
Description
- The present invention relates to an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint of the kind defined in the preamble of Claim 1 and disclosed for instance in JP-A-02 249 740. It particularly relates to such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint which is inflated upon the occurrence of a side impact collision.
- An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, such as an air bag, is inflated when the vehicle experiences a collision. Inflation fluid is then directed to flow from a source of inflation fluid into the restraint to inflate the restraint. The inflation fluid expands the restraint from a stored condition to an inflated condition in which the restraint extends into the vehicle occupant compartment. When the restraint is thus inflated into the occupant compartment, it restrains an occupant from forcefully striking parts of the vehicle.
- Such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint is concealed from the occupant compartment when it is stored. A deployment door typically extends over the restraint to conceal the restraint from the occupant compartment. The force of the inflation fluid flowing into the restraint is directed against the deployment door to open and move the deployment door out of the path of the restraint when the restraint is inflated and moved into the occupant compartment. The deployment door is normally formed as a portion of the vehicle part in which the restraint is stored. In certain applications, the deployment door may be formed as a portion of the steering wheel, instrument panel, or vehicle door, depending upon the location of the restraint in the vehicle. If the restraint is to be inflated upon the occurrence of a side impact collision, the restraint and the deployment door will often be located on a vehicle door.
- JP-A-02 249 740, summarized in Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 14, No. 575 (M-1062), discloses an energy absorbing structure for a car body side. To efficiently absorb energy of an impact load acting on a car body side by inflating and spreading, when the impact load not less than a predetermined value in the lateral direction of the car body is applied, an impact absorber is arranged in a condition that is folded and housed in a side door. In a deployment situation an air tank supplies air into an airbag forming a peripheral edge part of a spread member consisting of soft material. The airbag spreads also in a car body width for absorbing energy by releasing connection of a fixed supporting member for connecting the internal surface of the airbag to an airbag cover.
- DE-A-42 17 176 discloses a side airbag system in which the air bag is already located in its spread condition approximately at the desired location during a collision so that the airbag will generate its protective effect particularly fast when gas is introduced.
- In accordance with the present invention an apparatus for restraining an occupant of a vehicle occupant compartment as set forth in claim 1 is provided. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
- The embodiments of the invention are disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8.
- In the apparatus of claim 1, the vehicle part supporting the restraint may be a vehicle door, and the panel portion of the restraint is defined by a detachable section of an inner trim panel on this door. The restraint further has a stored air bag portion. The air bag portion of the restraint moves into a condition extending from the door upon inflation of the restraint. The panel portion of the restraint is fixed to the air bag portion, and moves from the door with the air bag portion upon inflation of the restraint. Since the panel portion of the restraint is defined by a detachable section of the inner trim panel on the door, it partly defines the occupant compartment at the door. The panel portion of the restraint thus functions as a deployment door which conceals the air bag portion from the occupant compartment, and also as a portion of the restraint which moves into the occupant compartment to restrain an occupant of the vehicle.
- Further features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle door, a vehicle seat adjacent to the door, and a generally known vehicle occupant restraint apparatus in which the present invention can be used;
- Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3A is a view taken on
line 3A-3A of Fig. 1; - Fig. 3B is an enlarged partial view of the apparatus of Fig. 3A, showing parts in partially actuated positions;
- Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the vehicle occupant restraint apparatus in a fully actuated condition;
- Fig. 5 is a view of parts of a generally known vehicle occupant restraint apparatus in which the present invention can be used;
- Fig. 6 is a view of parts of a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus which does not include of the present invention, showing the parts in fully actuated positions;
- Fig. 7 is a view of parts of a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus comprising a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the parts in fully actuated positions;
- Fig. 8 is a view of parts of a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus comprising a second embodiment of the present invention, also showing the parts in fully actuated positions; and
- Fig. 9 is schematic view of another generally known vehicle occupant restraint apparatus in which the present invention can be used present invention can be used.
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- A vehicle
occupant restraint apparatus 10 in connection with which the embodiments of the present invention can be used is shown schematically in Fig. 1. The two embodiments of the invention are shown in Fig 7 and 8. Theapparatus 10 includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 12 and aninflator 14. Therestraint 12 and theinflator 14 are mounted on avehicle door 16 in a position adjacent to aseat 18 in thevehicle occupant compartment 20. When the vehicle experiences an impact against the vehicle indicative of a collision, theinflator 14 is actuated. Theinflator 14 then emits a large volume of inflation fluid which is directed into therestraint 12 to inflate therestraint 12. As therestraint 12 inflates, it moves outward from thedoor 16 and into theoccupant compartment 20 adjacent to theseat 18. When therestraint 12 is thus inflated into theoccupant compartment 20, it restrains an occupant of theseat 18 to protect the occupant from a forceful impact with thedoor 16. - As shown in Figs. 2 and 3A, the
door 16 has an outerstructural panel 22 and an innerstructural panel 24. Thedoor 16 further includes aninner trim panel 26 between the innerstructural panel 24 and theoccupant compartment 20. - The
trim panel 26 includes anarmrest structure 28. Thetrim panel 26 further has amajor section 30 from which thearmrest structure 28 projects and adetachable section 32 above thearmrest structure 28. As shown in Fig. 3A, themajor section 30 of thetrim panel 26 has aside surface 34 which faces toward the innerstructural panel 24, and has anopposite side surface 36 which faces toward theoccupant compartment 20. Theside surface 36 facing toward theoccupant compartment 20 partly defines the boundary of theoccupant compartment 20 at thedoor 16. Anedge surface 38 of themajor section 30 of thetrim panel 26 defines an opening extending through themajor section 30. - The
detachable section 32 of thetrim panel 26 also has aside surface 40 facing the innerstructural panel 24 and aside surface 42 partly defining the boundary of theoccupant compartment 20 at thedoor 16. Anedge surface 44 of thedetachable section 32 adjoins theedge surface 38 of themajor section 30. Thedetachable section 32 further has aperipheral retainer portion 46 which overlies theinner side surface 34 of themajor section 30 adjacent to theedge surface 38. Thedetachable section 32 thus extends entirely across, and closes, the opening defined by theedge surface 38. As indicated in Fig. 3B, the material of thetrim panel 26 is deformable sufficiently to enable theretainer portion 46 to move around and past theedge surface 38 for detachment of thedetachable section 32 from themajor section 30. However, theretainer portion 46 holds thedetachable section 32 securely in place, as shown in Fig. 3A, until the inflator 14 is actuated. - The inflator 14 is part of an
inflator module 50 which includes the inflator 14 and a manifold 52. The inflator 14 has a short,cylindrical housing 54 with a plurality ofgas outlet openings 56. Thehousing 54 contains an ignitable gas generating material which, when ignited, rapidly produces gas for inflating therestraint 12. The gas generating material may have any suitable composition known in the art, and is ignited in a known manner upon the passage of electric current between a pair oflead wires 58. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 use the inflator 14 to provide gas for inflating therestraint 12, other known sources of inflation fluid could be used as alternatives. - The manifold 52 surrounds, but is spaced from, the
gas outlet openings 56 in thehousing 54, and has anopen end portion 60 defining agas exit opening 62. The manifold 52 thus defines agas flow space 64 which communicates thegas outlet openings 56 in thehousing 54 with the gas exit opening 62 in themanifold 52. Themodule 50 is fixed to the innerstructural panel 24 of thedoor 16 by any suitable fastening structure, such as by aweld 66, with the gas exit opening 52 being located in the space between the innerstructural panel 24 and thetrim panel 26. - The
restraint 12 has a portion which is defined by anair bag 70. Theair bag 70 is stored in the space between the innerstructural panel 24 and thetrim panel 26. A firstopen end 72 of theair bag 70 is received over theopen end portion 60 of the manifold 52, and is fixed to the manifold 52 by any suitable means (not shown). A secondopen end 74 of theair bag 70 is fixed to thedetachable section 32 of thetrim panel 26 by an adhesive 76 (Fig. 3B) or an ultrasonic weld. Thedetachable section 32 of thetrim panel 26 thus defines a panel portion of therestraint 12 which is fixed to theair bag 70. Theinner side surface 40 of thedetachable section 32 extends across the secondopen end 74 of theair bag 70. - As shown schematically in Fig. 3A, the vehicle
occupant restraint apparatus 10 further includes anelectrical circuit 80. Theelectrical circuit 80 includes apower source 82, which is preferably the vehicle battery or a capacitor, and a normallyopen switch 84. Theswitch 84 is part of asensor 86 which senses the occurrence of a vehicle collision, such as a side impact collision in which the side of the vehicle is impacted by an object, such as another vehicle. Thesensor 86 closes theswitch 84 upon sensing the occurrence of such a side impact collision. Such a sensor is known in the art. When theswitch 84 is closed, theelectrical circuit 80 directs electric current between thelead wires 58 to actuate the inflator 14 by causing the gas generating material in the inflator 14 to ignite. - When the inflator 14 is actuated, the gas emitted from the inflator 14 flows through the
gas flow space 64 to the gas exit opening 62 and into therestraint 12 through the firstopen end 72 of theair bag 70. The gas rushes through theair bag 70 to thedetachable section 32 of thetrim panel 26, and quickly reaches an elevated pressure within therestraint 12. - The pressure of the gas acting outward against the
inner side surface 40 of thedetachable section 32 of thetrim panel 26 causes thedetachable section 32 to detach from themajor section 30, as shown partially in Fig. 3B. As the gas continues to flow into therestraint 12, theair bag 70 inflates from the stored condition of Fig. 3A, and moves into theoccupant compartment 20 with thedetachable section 32 until therestraint 12 reaches the inflated condition shown in Fig. 4. The portion of themajor section 30 which is located to right of thedetachable section 32, as viewed in Fig. 3A, is sufficiently flexible to be pushed out of the path of movement of theair bag 70 by theair bag 70. That portion of themajor section 30 thus enables theair bag 70 to move into the space between an adjacent B-pillar and theseat 18. Themajor section 30 could further include other flexible portions about the periphery of thedetachable section 32, as needed, depending upon the particulartrim panel 26 with which the present invention is used. Therestraint 12 is thus inflated into theoccupant compartment 20 to restrain and protect an occupant of theseat 18 from a forceful impact with thedoor 16. Since theinner side surface 40 of thedetachable section 32 extends across the secondopen end 74 of theair bag 70, the volume enclosed within the inflatedrestraint 12 is defined in part by the area of theinner side surface 40 which extends across the secondopen end 74 of theair bag 70. - As described above, the
major section 30 and thedetachable section 32 of thetrim panel 26 abut each other as separate parts of thetrim panel 26. As shown partially in Fig. 5, analternative trim panel 100 can be provided in place of thetrim panel 26. The material of thetrim panel 100 is continuous throughout amajor section 102 and adetachable section 104 of thetrim panel 100. Themajor section 102 and thedetachable section 104 are thus joined to each other as connected parts of thetrim panel 100. - Other parts of the apparatus of Fig. 5 are substantially the same as corresponding parts of Fig. 1 described above. The apparatus of Fig. 5 thus includes an inflatable
vehicle occupant restraint 106 which includes both anair bag 108 and thedetachable section 104 of thetrim panel 100. Theair bag 108 has anopen end 110 which is fixed to aninner side surface 112 of thedetachable section 104 by an adhesive 114. The pressure of the gas directed into therestraint 106 acts outward against theinner side surface 112 when therestraint 106 is being inflated. The volume enclosed within theinflated restraint 106 is thus defined in part by the area of theinner side surface 112 which extends across theopen end 110 of theair bag 108. - The
trim panel 100 further has anindented surface portion 116 which extends around the entire periphery of thedetachable section 104. Theindented surface portion 116 forms a notch which defines a stress riser in the material of thetrim panel 100 that interconnects thedetachable section 104 with themajor section 102. When the gas pressure acting outward against theinner side surface 112 reaches a predetermined elevated level, it ruptures the material of thetrim panel 100 which comprises the stress riser. Thedetachable section 104 and theair bag 108 are thus released for movement into theoccupant compartment 20 by the pressure of the gas directed into therestraint 106. - As an additional alternative in the design of the vehicle
occupant restraint apparatus 10, a releasable adhesive or other releasable fastening structure could be used with, or in place of, theretainer portion 46 of thedetachable section 32 of thetrim panel 26 in the first embodiment of the invention. Moreover, a score line, breakable tabs or the like could be used in place of theindented surface portion 116 of thetrim panel 100 in the second embodiment. In each case, however, the panel portion of the restraint would be securely held in place on therespective door 16 until therespective inflator 14 is actuated. - According to Fig 6. the
apparatus 10 includes an inflatablevehicle occupant restraint 200, which is shown partially in Fig. 6. Therestraint 200 has anair bag portion 202 and apanel portion 204. Thepanel portion 204 of therestraint 200 is substantially the same as either of the alternative panel portions of the restraints described above. Theair bag portion 202 of therestraint 200 differs from the air bag portions of the restraints described above in that theair bag portion 202 does not have an open end fixed to thepanel portion 204. Instead, theair bag portion 202 extends continuously over aninner side surface 206 of thepanel portion 204, as shown in Fig. 6. A pair of mountingrods 208 with suitable fasteners (not shown) hold theair bag portion 202 in place against theinner side surface 206. The volume enclosed within theinflated restraint 200 is thus defined entirely by theair bag portion 202. - In a first embodiment of the present invention, the
apparatus 10 includes an inflatablevehicle occupant restraint 300, which is shown partially in Fig. 7. Therestraint 300 has anair bag portion 302 and apanel portion 304. The structure of thepanel portion 304 of therestraint 300 is substantially the same as the structure of any one of the alternative panel portions of the restraints described above. - The
air bag portion 302 of therestraint 300 is similar to theair bag portion 70 of therestraint 12, which is shown in Fig. 3A, in that theair bag portion 302 has anopen end 306 which is fixed to thepanel portion 304. The volume enclosed with theinflated restraint 300 is thus defined in part by the area of aninner side surface 308 of thepanel portion 304 which extends across theopen end 306 of theair bag portion 302. However, theair bag portion 302 of therestraint 300 differs from the air bag portions of each of the restraints described above in that theair bag portion 302 is divided into distincttubular sections tubular sections inflator 14. Each of thetubular sections air bag portion 302 adjoins arespective section panel portion 304. A plurality of mountingrods 310 with suitable fasteners (not shown) hold theair bag portion 302 in place against theinner side surface 308. The mountingrods 310 also separate thetubular sections air bag portion 302 from each other. - When the
restraint 300 is inflated as shown in Fig. 7, the inflatedair bag portion 302 moves thepanel portion 304 forcefully away form the innerstructural panel 24. The pressure of the inflation fluid in each of thetubular sections air bag portion 302 thus applies a force against the respective adjoiningsection panel portion 304. The pressure of the inflation fluid in therestraint 300 can be controlled so that the pressure differs in each of thetubular sections air bag portion 302. The respective forces applied by thetubular sections air bag portion 302 to the adjoiningsections panel portion 304 will differ accordingly. As a result, each of thesections panel portion 304 will contact a different part of the occupant's body with a different force as therestraint 300 is inflated. This arrangement enables therestraint 300 to contact a relatively sensitive part of the occupant's body with relatively lesser force, and to restrain the relatively sensitive part of the occupant's body with a lower fluid pressure. Likewise, therestraint 300 is able to contact a relatively stronger part of the occupant's body with a relatively greater force and to restrain the relatively stronger part of the occupant's body with a higher fluid pressure. - In a second embodiment of the present invention, the
apparatus 10 includes an inflatablevehicle occupant restraint 400, which is shown partially in Fig. 8. As in described above, therestraint 400 has a panel portion 402 which is defined by a detachable section of a door trim panel like the trim panel 26 (Fig. 3A). - The
restraint 400 further has anair bag portion 404. Theair bag portion 404 of therestraint 400 is similar to theair bag portion 302 of therestraint 300 shown in Fig. 7. However, theair bag portion 404 differs somewhat from theair bag portion 302 in that theair bag portion 404 does not have an open end at the panel portion 402. Instead, theair bag portion 404 of therestraint 400 extends continuously over aninner side surface 408 of the panel portion 402, as shown in Fig. 8. A plurality of mountingrods 410 with suitable fasteners (not shown) hold theair bag portion 404 in place against theinner side surface 408, and also divide theair bag portion 404 into distincttubular sections tubular sections air bag portion 302 shown in Fig. 7. - A vehicle
occupant restraint apparatus 500 is shown schematically in Fig. 9. Theapparatus 500 is associated with avehicle door 502, and includes a manifold 504 and an inflatablevehicle occupant restraint 506 which differ somewhat from the manifold 50 and therestraint 12 in theapparatus 10 described above. Other parts of theapparatus 500, such as aninflator 14 and anelectrical circuit 80, are substantially the same as corresponding parts of theapparatus 10, as indicated by the same reference numbers used in Figs. 3A and 9. - The
door 502 has an outerstructural panel 510, an innerstructural panel 512, and aninner trim panel 514. Thetrim panel 514 has amajor section 516 and adetachable section 518. Thedetachable section 518 extends along nearly the entire length of themajor section 516 between the opposite ends of thetrim panel 514. Thepanel sections panel sections detachable section 518 is thus detachable from themajor section 516 under the influence of inflation fluid pressure directed against aninner side surface 520 of thedetachable section 518. - The manifold 504 surrounds and is spaced from the
gas outlet openings 56 in theinflator housing 54. A plurality of firstgas exit openings 522 extend radially through acylindrical side wall 524 of themanifold 504. A plurality of secondgas exit openings 526 extend axially through a circularouter end wall 528 of themanifold 504. The manifold 504 is secured to the innerstructural panel 512 of thedoor 502 by a plurality offasteners 530. Thefasteners 530 extend through openings in acircular flange 532 at the inner end of theside wall 524. - The
restraint 506 has a panel portion which is defined by thedetachable section 518 of thetrim panel 514, and further has a portion which is defined by anair bag 540. A firstopen end 542 of theair bag 540 surrounds the inflator 14, and is secured between the innerstructural panel 512 and theflange 532 by thefasteners 530. A secondopen end 544 of theair bag 540 is fixed to thedetachable section 518 of thetrim panel 514 by an adhesive or an ultrasonic weld. - When the inflator 14 in the
apparatus 500 is actuated, the gas emitted from the inflator 14 flows into therestraint 506 through the first and secondgas exit openings manifold 504. The gas rushes through theair bag 540 to thedetachable section 518 of thetrim panel 514 and quickly reaches an elevated pressure within therestraint 506. The pressure of the gas acting outward against theinner side surface 520 causes thedetachable section 518 of thetrim panel 514 to detach from themajor section 516 in the same manner as described above with reference to the corresponding parts of thetrim panel 26 shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. As the gas continues to flow into therestraint 506, theair bag 540 inflates and moves into theoccupant compartment 20 with thedetachable section 518. Therestraint 506 is thus inflated into theoccupant compartment 20 to restrain and protect an occupant of the seat 18 (Fig. 1) from a forceful impact with thedoor 502. - The
restraint apparatus 500 can have any of the alternative features described above with reference to therestraint apparatus 10. Moreover, in each of the embodiments of the invention described above, tethers are preferably included to control the size and shape of the inflated restraint. Such tethers extend across the inside of an inflatable restraint in a known manner. Also, the configuration and structure of the detachable panel section, which forms the panel portion of the restraint, can be varied for particular applications of the invention. For example, a detachable panel section can be covered by a trim layer which gives the panel portion of the restraint an appearance consistent with the trim theme of a particular vehicle.
Claims (7)
- Apparatus for restraining an occupant of a vehicle occupant compartment (210), said apparatus comprising:a vehicle part (16; 24) having a detachable panel section (304, 402),an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (300; 400), said restraint being inflatable into an inflated condition in which said restraint extends into the occupant compartment (20);a source of inflation fluid; andmeans (62) for directing inflation fluid from said source into said restraint to inflate said restraint;said detachable panel section of said vehicle part having an outer side surface for partly defining the occupant compartment;said inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) being supported on said vehicle part (16; 24), said restraint having an air bag portion which moves into an inflated condition extending from said vehicle part (16; 24) into the occupant compartment (20) upon inflation of said restraint;said restraint further having a panel portion (26) which comprises said detachable panel section (304, 402) of said vehicle part, said panel portion (26) of said restraint (12) being fixed to said air bag portion of said restraint to move from said vehicle part with said air bag portion of said restraint, characterised in that said air bag portion is divided into distinct air bag sections (312, 314, 316; 412, 414, 416) which are separated from each other, said air bag sections adjoining respective panel sections (318, 320, 322) of said panel portion (304, 402) and separately applying different fluid pressure forces to said respective panel sections;said air bag sections (312) communicating with a source of inflation fluid to receive inflation fluid from said source upon inflation of said restraint, the different fluid pressures in the distinct air bag sections being controlled.
- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sections of said air bag portion having elongated tubular shapes, are separated into distinct sections by a plurality of mounting rods (310,410) which extend longitudinally between said sections of said air bag portion.
- Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said panel portion (304) of said restraint (300) has an inner side surface (308) for contacting said inflation fluid directed into said restraint (300), said inner side surface (308) thus partly defining the volume enclosed within said restraint when said restraint is inflated.
- Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said air bag portion of said restraint (400) defines the entire volume enclosed within said restraint (400) when said restraint is inflated.
- Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said detachable panel section (304, 402) of said vehicle part is detachable entirely from said vehicle part and is moved to a location spaced from said vehicle part upon inflation of said restraint.
- Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said vehicle part is a vehicle door having an inner trim panel, said detachable panel section (304,402) of said vehicle part being a detachable section of said inner trim panel.
- Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for sensing the occurrence of a side impact vehicle collision and means for causing inflation fluid to be emitted from said source in response to a sensed side impact vehicle collision.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US170700 | 1993-12-21 | ||
US08/170,700 US5439248A (en) | 1993-12-21 | 1993-12-21 | Vehicle occupant restraint apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0659617A1 EP0659617A1 (en) | 1995-06-28 |
EP0659617B1 true EP0659617B1 (en) | 1999-07-21 |
Family
ID=22620916
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94120112A Expired - Lifetime EP0659617B1 (en) | 1993-12-21 | 1994-12-19 | Vehicle occupant restraint apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5439248A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0659617B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2750092B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69419584T2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105711453A (en) * | 2014-12-17 | 2016-06-29 | 福特全球技术公司 | Inflatable device for armrest of vehicle door |
Families Citing this family (17)
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US5540460A (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 1996-07-30 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Air bag module |
DE19604014C2 (en) * | 1996-01-23 | 1999-07-15 | Petri Ag | Device for protecting occupants of a motor vehicle |
US6042147A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 2000-03-28 | Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. | Air-bag device |
FR2781442B1 (en) * | 1998-07-21 | 2000-09-15 | Allibert Ind | DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A VEHICLE OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF SHOCK |
US6152481A (en) * | 1998-08-03 | 2000-11-28 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Side restraint assembly |
US6345837B1 (en) | 1998-11-05 | 2002-02-12 | Chrysler Corporation | Passenger side air bag module |
US6231072B1 (en) | 1999-10-15 | 2001-05-15 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Headliner based supplemental restraint assembly |
US6422593B1 (en) * | 1999-12-30 | 2002-07-23 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Supplemental restraint assembly for an automobile |
JP4206291B2 (en) * | 2002-07-08 | 2009-01-07 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Side airbag device |
US20060012155A1 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2006-01-19 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle side airbag apparatus and seat containing same |
US20070057491A1 (en) * | 2005-09-09 | 2007-03-15 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Vehicle occupant protection apparatus located in the door of a vehicle |
DE102006052190A1 (en) * | 2006-11-02 | 2008-05-08 | Takata-Petri Ag | Airbag module for a motor vehicle |
US20080114516A1 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-15 | Jackson David M | Inflatable pusher |
US20130009430A1 (en) * | 2011-07-07 | 2013-01-10 | Zodiac Aerospace | Energy absorber |
DE102011109635A1 (en) * | 2011-08-05 | 2013-02-07 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC (n. d. Gesetzen des Staates Delaware) | Motor vehicle with a safety device |
US9272681B1 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2016-03-01 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Knee airbag deployable from a side panel |
US11938882B2 (en) | 2021-04-07 | 2024-03-26 | ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc. | Side airbag packaged in side of seat |
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US3514124A (en) * | 1967-08-16 | 1970-05-26 | Eaton Yale & Towne | Vehicle safety device |
CA957404A (en) * | 1970-11-24 | 1974-11-05 | Isao Maeda | Rapidly inflatable impact cushioning device for high-speed travelling vehicle |
US3767229A (en) * | 1971-12-30 | 1973-10-23 | R Cain | Inflatable dash-panel construction |
JPS59155257U (en) * | 1983-04-04 | 1984-10-18 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Automobile occupant protection device |
JP2987153B2 (en) * | 1989-03-24 | 1999-12-06 | マツダ株式会社 | Energy absorption structure on the side of the vehicle |
US4966388A (en) * | 1989-05-25 | 1990-10-30 | Collision Safety Engineering Inc. | Inflatable structures for side impact crash protection |
US5072966A (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1991-12-17 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Energy absorbing structure for vehicle body side portion |
JP3107383B2 (en) * | 1990-03-26 | 2000-11-06 | マツダ株式会社 | Energy absorption structure on the side of the vehicle |
US5242191A (en) * | 1991-01-18 | 1993-09-07 | Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. | Tethered air bag cover |
JPH0544713U (en) * | 1991-11-25 | 1993-06-15 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Air bag device |
DE4217176C2 (en) * | 1992-05-23 | 1995-08-24 | Daimler Benz Ag | Side impact airbag system |
JPH0687400A (en) * | 1992-09-04 | 1994-03-29 | Toyota Motor Corp | Inflator fitting structure for collision air bag |
US5308112A (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1994-05-03 | General Motors Corporation | Unfurled side impact air bag |
-
1993
- 1993-12-21 US US08/170,700 patent/US5439248A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-12-19 DE DE69419584T patent/DE69419584T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-12-19 EP EP94120112A patent/EP0659617B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-12-21 JP JP6318758A patent/JP2750092B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105711453A (en) * | 2014-12-17 | 2016-06-29 | 福特全球技术公司 | Inflatable device for armrest of vehicle door |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69419584D1 (en) | 1999-08-26 |
EP0659617A1 (en) | 1995-06-28 |
US5439248A (en) | 1995-08-08 |
JP2750092B2 (en) | 1998-05-13 |
JPH07195994A (en) | 1995-08-01 |
DE69419584T2 (en) | 2000-02-24 |
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